I am not a cheat, says Cole

Ashley Cole today reacted fiercely to accusations that he cheated to get Birmingham's Aliou Cisse sent off at Highbury.

The Senegalese World Cup captain, booked for a tackle on Sylvain Wiltord in the 69th minute, was shown a second yellow card by referee Mike Riley five minutes later for a lunge at the Arsenal and England left-back.

Former Arsenal defender and Leeds manager David O'Leary, a Sky pundit, entered the debate about Cole, which started after a series of incidents last season, when he said: "He is getting something of a reputation."

Television replays showed there was minimal contact but Cole said: " I do not dive. I am not a cheat and I had never tried to get another player sent off. Never.

"The Birmingham player did make contact with me even if it was only slight. I was hurt but I got up again as soon as I could. I didn't stay down for a long time or anything.

"It could have been a lot worse had I not jumped to get out of the way of the challenge. But it is not me who decides what any punishment is. It is the referee.

"He decided that it was a booking, not me. I don't make the decisions. I didn't ask for him to be sent off or anything like that. Perhaps it was harsh but the rules are that you are not allowed to tackle like that.

"Last year I got a reputation for diving and yet I know it is something I do not do. There is no way I would fake it."

Cisse himself came to Cole's defence when he said: "I am certain that there is no way that Ashley Cole dived to try to get me sent off. He jumped to avoid my challenge, that was all.

"I do not blame Cole. He was only trying to get out of my way."

Cole was singled out by Newcastle manager Bobby Robson last season after his team had beaten Arsenal 3-1 at Highbury.

He suggested that Cole had made the most of a challenge by Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy, who was sent off.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said he was bemused at the way Cole has been given the reputation as a diver.

"Ashley Cole is a great player and everyone would like to have him in their team," said Wenger. "I saw that Cisse was late but I need to see the challenge on the video because from my position on the bench it is hard to have a correct idea of what happened."

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce stopped short of accusing Cole but said he had asked referee Riley to look at the incident again. "I have seen a replay of the tackle and I have asked Mr Riley to look at it again. I am confident that when he sees it he will reverse the decision."

Arsenal's only injury worry from Saturday's 2-0 win was Dennis Bergkamp, who came off with a calf injury.